Electrical Lectures / Energy and Power

Voltage Drop Calculations For Engineers – Beginners

By Edvard September, 19th 2015

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Voltage drop formulas

Voltage drop calculations using the DC-resistance formula are not always
accurate for AC circuits, especially for those with a less-than-unity power factor
or for those that use conductors larger than 2 AWG.
Voltage Drop Calculations For Engineers - Beginners (on photo: Low voltage
circuit breakers type NSX 250H, 600V)

Table 1 allows engineers to perform simple ac voltage drop calculations. Table

1 was compiled using the Neher–McGrath ac-resistance calculation method , and
the values presented are both reliable and conservative. This table contains
completed calculations of effective impedance (Z) for the average ac circuit
with an 85 percent power factor (see Calculation Example 1).

If calculations with a different power factor are necessary, Table 1 also contains
the appropriate values of inductive reactance and AC resistance (see Example
2).

The basic assumptions and the limitations of Table 1 are as follows:

1. Capacitive reactance is ignored.

2. There are three conductors in a raceway.
3. The calculated voltage drop values are approximate.
4. For circuits with other parameters, the Neher–McGrath ac-resistance
calculation method is used.

Calculation Example #1

A feeder has a 100 A continuous load. The system source is 240 volts, 3
phase, and the supplying circuit breaker is 125 A. The feeder is in a trade size
1¼ aluminum conduit with three 1 AWG THHN copper conductors operating
at their maximum temperature rating of 75°C. The circuit length is 150 ft, and
the power factor is 85 percent.

Using Table 1 below, determine the approximate voltage drop of this

circuit.

See the solution //

STEP-1 // Find the approximate line-to-neutral voltage drop.

Using the Table 1 column “Effective Zat 0.85 PF for Uncoated Copper
Wires”, select aluminum conduit and size 1 AWG copper wire. Use the given
value of 0.16 ohm per 1000 ft in the following formula:

STEP-2 // Find the line-to-line voltage drop:

STEP-3 // Find the voltage present at the load end of the circuit:

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Calculation Example #2

A 270 A continuous load is present on a feeder. The circuit consists of a

single 4-in. PVC conduit with three 600-kcmil XHHW/USE aluminum
conductors fed from a 480 V, 3-phase, 3-wire source. The conductors are
operating at their maximum rated temperature of 75°C.

If the power factor is 0.7 and the circuit length is 250 ft, is the voltage drop
excessive?

See the solution //

STEP-1 // Using the Table 1 column “XL(Reactance) for All Wires”, select PVC
conduit and the row for size 600 kcmil. A value of 0.039 ohm per 1000 ft is
given as this XL. Next, using the column “Alternating-Current Resistance for
Aluminum Wires”, select PVC conduit and the row for size 600 kcmil. A value
of 0.036 ohm per 1000 ft is given as this R.
STEP-2 // Find the angle representing a power factor of 0.7.
Using a calculator with trigonometric functions or a trigonometric function table,
find the arccosine (cos-1) θ of 0.7, which is 45.57 degrees. For this example,
call this angle.

STEP-3 // Find the impedance (Z)corrected to 0.7 power factor (Zc):

STEP-4 // As in Calculation Example 1, find the approximate line-to-neutral
voltage drop:

STEP-5 // Find the approximate line-to-line voltage drop:

STEP-6 // Find the approximate voltage drop expressed as a percentage of

the circuit voltage:

STEP-7 // Find the voltage present at the load end of the circuit:

Conclusion // According to 210.19(A)(1), Informational Note No. 4, this

voltage drop does not appear to be excessive.
TABLE 1 //

Alternating-Current Resistance and Reactance for 600-Volt Cables, 3-Phase, 60 Hz, 75°C
(167°F)

Three Single Conductors in Conduit //

TABLE 1 – Alternating-Current Resistance and Reactance for 600-Volt Cables,
3-Phase, 60 Hz, 75°C (167°F) – Three Single Conductors in Conduit

Reference // National Electrical Code Handbook – Mark W. Earley, P.E.,

Jeffrey S. Sargent, Christopher D. Coache and Richard J. Roux (National Fire
Protection Association, Quincy, Massachusetts)

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Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of
LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations,
commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.
 11 Comments

1.
Salako Olakunle
JA N 1 1 , 2 0 1 7

Good work, it has been very educative. But please, at what percentage does
the voltage drop becomes excessive and what is the probable effect on the
circuit?
(reply)

2.
Manjunatha
NOV 23, 2015

how mccb trip on off wiring diagram send mi please

(reply)


Edvard
NOV 23, 2015

There is no wiring diagram for MCB tripping, but there is a construction

diagram where you can see how it actually works.

https://electrical-engineering-portal.com/mcb-miniature-circuit-breaker-construction

Regards
Edvard
(reply)

3.
Madhavanpillai
NOV 21, 2015

Highly informative articles

 (reply)

4.
Vishnu
OCT 11, 2015

A valuable site for Electrical Engineers

(reply)

5.
Doug McIntire, PE
SE P 2 5 , 2 0 1 5

Edvard,

This is excellent and a good reminder to avoid “rule of thumb” calculations in

engineering.

I might point out that the last few steps are not needed. The L-L voltage drop is
the same as L-N in percentage the beauty of per unit type calculation. See in
step #4 of example #2 voltage drop is 3.584V. Divided into the line to neutral
voltage of 277V you get the same answer of .0129 or 1.29%. That is all that is
required to meet the code “noted” for feeders and branch circuits operating at
reasonable efficiency.

Be careful too as this defined as a feeder. I am led to assume that there are
branch circuits following on to this feeder load and that must be included in the
consideration. See NEC Article 100 definitions of branch circuit and feeder. I’m
possibly splitting hairs but we are making finer distinctions. Thanks for doing
this. Very useful.
(reply)

6.
S.D.Buddhisagar
SE P 2 5 , 2 0 1 5
 R/s : I am , 64 , try to read your articles , through which I have benefited a lot , I
request you to guide me on how to do circuit analysis dependent sources,
Ialways get confused.
(reply)

7.
Ali C. Hussein
SE P 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

good work
(reply)

8.
SANJAY MAITRY
SE P 2 0 , 2 0 1 5

its a very good articles for updating me. thank you.

(reply)

9.
Khalid Ur Rehman Shah
SE P 2 0 , 2 0 1 5

Good work
(reply)

10.
James M. Casallo, P.E.
SE P 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

Great article! I seem to always use the Line to Neutral value. Thanks for the
update and exercise. Keep up the great work and sharing of the knowledge.
(reply)
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Energy and Power / Low Voltage

Voltage drop calculation methods with examples explained in

details

By Edvard March, 3rd 2017

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Voltage drop considerations

The first consideration for voltage drop is that under the steady-state conditions
of normal load, the voltage at the utilization equipment must be adequate.

Voltage drop calculation methods with examples explained in details

Fine-print notes in the NEC recommend sizing feeders and branch circuits so
that the maximum voltage drop in either does not exceed 3%, with the total
voltage drop for feedersand branch circuits not to exceed 5%, for
efficiency of operation.
In addition to steady-state conditions, voltage drop under transient conditions,
with sudden high-current, short-time loads, must be considered.

The most common loads of this type are motor inrush currents during starting.
These loads cause a voltage dip on the system as a result of the voltage drop in
conductors, transformers and generators under the high current. This voltage dip
can have numerous adverse effects on equipment in the system, and
equipment and conductors must be designed and sized to minimize these
problems.

In many cases, reduced-voltage starting of motors to reduce inrush current

will be necessary.

 Voltage drop formulas

 Approximate method
 Exact method #1
 Exact Method #2
 Voltage drop tables
 Calculations
 Example #1
 Example #2

Voltage drop formulas

Let’s see two most common methods for calculation of voltage drop –
approximate and exact methods:

1. Approximate method

Voltage drop EVD = IR cosθ + IX sinθwhere abbreviations are same as

below “Exact Method”.

2. Exact method #1

If sending end voltage and load PF are known.

where:

 EVD – Voltage drop, line-to-neutral, volts

 Es – Source voltage, line-to-neutral, volts
 I – Line (Load) current, amperes
 R – Circuit (branch, feeder) resistance, ohms
 X – Circuit (branch, feeder) reactance, ohms
 cosθ – Power factor of load, decimal
 sinθ – Reactive factor of load, decimal

If the receiving end voltage, load current and power factor (PF) are known.

ER is the receiving end voltage.

Go back to top ↑

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2. Exact Method #2

If receiving or sending mVA and its power factor are known at a known sending
or receiving voltage.
or

where:

 ER – Receiving line-line voltage in kV

 ES – Sending line-line voltage in kV
 MVAR – Receiving three-phase mVA
 MVAS – Sending three-phase mVA
 Z – Impedance between and receiving ends
 γ – The angle of impedance Z
 R – Receiving end PF
 S – Sending end PF, positive when lagging
Go back to top ↑

Voltage drop tables

Tables for calculating voltage drop for copper and aluminum conductors , in either
magnetic (steel) or nonmagnetic (aluminum or non-metallic) conduit, are shown
below. These tables give voltage drop per ampere per 100 ft (30 m) of circuit
length.

The circuit length is from the beginning point to the end point of the circuit
regardless of the number of conductors.

Tables are based on the following conditions:

Condition #1
Three or four single conductors in a conduit, random lay. For three-conductor
cable, actual voltage drop will be approximately the same for small conductor
sizes and high power factors. Actual voltage drop will be from 10 to 15% lower
for larger conductor sizes and lower power factors.
Condition #2
Voltage drops are phase-to-phase, for three-phase, three-wire or three-phase,
four-wire 60 Hz circuits. For other circuits, multiply voltage drop given in the
tables by the following correction factors:

Correction factors table:

Three-phase, four-wire, phase-to-neutral × 0.577

Single-phase, two-wire × 1.155

Single-phase, three-wire, phase-to-phase × 1.155

Single-phase, three-wire, phase-to-neutral × 0.577

Condition #3
Voltage drops are for a conductor temperature of 75 °C. They may be used
for conductor temperatures between 60 °C and 90 °C with reasonable accuracy
(within ±5%). However, correction factors in Table 1 can be applied if desired.
The values in the table are in percent of total voltage drop.

 For conductor temperature of 60 °C – SUBTRACT the percentage from

Table 1.
 For conductor temperature of 90 °C – ADD the percentage from Table 1.

Table 1 – Temperature correction

factors for voltage drop

Go back to top ↑
Calculations

To calculate voltage drop:

1. Multiply current in amperes by the length of the circuit in feet to get ampere-
feet. Circuit length is the distance from the point of origin to the load end of
the circuit.
2. Divide by 100.
3. Multiply by proper voltage drop value in tables. Result is voltage drop.

Example #1
A 460 V, 100 hp motor, running at 80% PF, draws 124 A full-load current. It
is fed by three 2/0 copper conductors in steel conduit. The feeder length is 150
ft (46 m).

What is the voltage drop in the feeder? What is the percentage voltage
drop?

 124 A × 150ft (46m) = 18,600 A-ft

 Divided by 100 = 186
 Table: 2/0 copper, magnetic conduit,
80% PF = 0.0187
186 x 0.0187 = 3.48 V drop
3.48/460 x 100 = 0.76% drop

Conclusion: 0.76% voltage drop is very acceptable. (See NEC Article 215,
which suggests that a voltage drop of 3% or less on a feeder is acceptable.)

To select minimum conductor size:

1. Determine maximum desired i voltage drop, in volts.

2. Divide voltage drop by ii (amperes x circuit feet).
3. Multiply by 100.
4. Find nearest lower voltage drop value in tables, in correct column for
type of conductor, conduit and power factor. Read conductor size for that
value.
5. Where this results in an oversized cable, verify cable lug sizes for molded case
circuit breakers and fusible 4 switches. Where lug size available is exceeded,
go to next higher rating.
Go back to top ↑

Example #2
A three-phase, four-wire lighting feeder on a 208 V circuit is 250 ft (76.2 m)
long. The load is 175 A at 90% PF. It is desired to use aluminum 7
conductors in aluminum conduit.

What size conductor is required to limit the voltage drop to 2% phase-to-

phase?

 VD = 2/100 × 208 = 4.16 V

 4.16 / (175 × 250) = 0.0000951
 0.0000951 × 100= 0.00951
 In table, under aluminum conductors, nonmagnetic conduit, 90% PF, the
nearest lower value is 0.0091. Conductor required is 12 500 kcmil.
(Size 4/0 THW would have adequate ampacity, but the voltage drop
would be excessive.)
Table 2 – Voltage Drop—Volts per Ampere per 100 Feet (30 m); Three-
Phase, Phase-to-Phase
Table 2 – Voltage drop – Volts per ampere per 100 Feet (30 m); Three-phase,
phase-to-phase
 Go back to top ↑

Reference // Power Distribution Systems by EATON

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Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for

design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in
power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in
AutoCAD programming.

7 Comments

1.
Abiodun Sobayo
MAR 24, 2019
 Nice to know this. Bit can we get a link to download all these calculations for
better understanding and to teach others.
(reply)

2.
Tariq
MAR 24, 2019

Dear Edvard:
Please Show The Mathematical Derive Of The Equation Of Exact Method #1
(And How Sending End Voltage (Vs) Appears In Voltage Drop Formula .
Best Regards ,
(reply)

3.
Mohamed Fadhil AL-Mukhtar
JA N 0 1 , 2 0 1 9

Hi everybody,
In fact I have a confussion for which power factor I use in determining voltage
drop of main cable (30m length) which supplies two motors (1st one 50HP ,
o.85 p.f, with 100m cable) and (2nd one 100HP , o.75 p.f,with 300m cable) .
Your answer is too much appreciated .
Thanks in advance
(reply)

4.
Chirantan Gupta
NOV 27, 2018

I saw the comments above and I guess what Gerald is referring to is the K
factor method which is popularly followed by NEC. However, NEC also supports
the IEEE 141-1993 formula. Refer to bottom of Table 9 Note 2 of NEC which
clearly says: Multiplying current by effective impedance gives good
approximation for line to neutral voltage drop. Thus, the approximate formula
(Sqrt(3)*I*(Rcosphi+Xsinphi) can be followed. For all practical purposes, I have
used this formula for last 25 years. The exact formula can also be used, and
there is a vectorial method to get the solution.
 (reply)

5.
Eng. Abdolgabar Ahmed Mahmood
OCT 25, 2018

Dear Engineers,
GERALD NEWTON AND TOMMY RICE.
Please tell me your methods of voltage drop calculations I will be grateful for
you to let me know the best way of calculation because I am new in this field.
best regards
Eng. Abdolgabar Ahmed
(reply)

6.
Gerald Newton
MAR 08, 2017

Your voltage drop calculation article is off the wall. Sorry, but this is not how it is
done. Furthermore, the State of Washington specifically states in a news letter
how the inspectors want the calculation done. I have been in this business for
over 40 years and have never, ever seen anything like your method. I suggest
you do some research on how practical engineers and electricians do voltage
drop calculations.
(reply)


Tommy Rice
APR 01, 2017

could you e-mail me and tell me how Washington state wants their
calculations done. I use a different method for voltage drop calculations than
edvard csanyi
(reply)

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